Ladder mounted paint pail support

ABSTRACT

An inclined panel member including a hook at its upper end for embracingly engaging and canting relative to the side rail of a ladder for support of the panel member from the ladder side rail with the panel member inclined downwardly and outwardly to the outside of the ladder side rail. The lower marginal edge portion of the panel member includes outwardly projecting extensions for underlying a first pair of peripherally spaced portions of an inwardly projecting peripheral rim assembly of a paint can and the inclined side edges of the panel member include notches therein for embracingly and clampingly engaging a second pair of peripherally spaced portions of the cam rim assembly spaced slightly closer together than the first pair of rim assembly peripheral portions. In addition, the lower edge portion of the panel member includes a centrally disposed laterally outwardly struck tongue which projects from the undersurface side of the panel member and includes a free end portion for underlying still another portion of the peripheral rim assembly of the paint can spaced centrally intermediate both the first and second pairs of peripherally spaced portions of the rim assembly of the can. In addition to providing a means for suspending a paint can from a ladder side rail, the panel member also functions as an inclined drain surface for draining paint clinging to a brush may be wiped to remove excess paint and the horizontally opening upper hook portion of the panel member defines a support from which a paint brush may be supported when the can is not being supported from a ladder, the handle portion of the paint brush being received through the hook and canted relative thereto with the bristles of the brush disposed over the top of the associated can.

United States Patent Olsen n51 3,661,351 [4 1 May 9, 1972 [s41 LADDERMOUNTED PAINT PAIL SUPPORT,

Olaf L. Olsen, 5325 116th Avenue, NE, Kirkland, Wash. 98033 [22] Filed:Dec.23,l969

[21] Appl.No.: 887,633

[72] Inventor:

[52] U.S.Cl

..248/2l0, 248/1 10, 248/31 1 [51] lnt.Cl. ..E06c 7/14 [58]FieldofSearch ..248/ll0,ll3,2l0,2ll,2l5, 248/300, 301, 31 l, 312, 313,316 R, 316 D, 317,

Primary Examiner-William H. Schultz Attorney-Clarence A. OBrien andHarvey B. Jacobson [5 7] ABSTRACT An inclined panel member including ahook at its upper end for embracingly engaging and canting relative tothe side rail of a ladder for support of the panel member from theladder side rail with the panel member inclined downwardly and outwardlyto the outside of the ladder side rail. The lower marginal edge portionof the panel member includes outwardly projecting extensions forunderlying a first pair of peripherally spaced portions of an inwardlyprojecting peripheral rim assembly of a paint can and the inclined sideedges of the panel member include notches therein for embracingly andclampingly engaging a second pair of peripherally spaced portions of thecam rim assembly spaced slightly closer together than the first pair ofrim assembly peripheral portions. In addition, the lower edge portion ofthe panel member includes a centrally disposed laterally outwardlystruck tongue which projects from the undersurface side of the panelmember and includes a free end portion for underlying still anotherportion of the peripheral rim assembly of the paint can spaced centrallyintermediate both the first and second pairs of peripherally spacedportions of the rim assembly of the can. In addition to providing ameans for suspending a paint can from a ladder side rail, the panelmember also functions as an inclined drain surface for draining paintclinging to a brush may be wiped to remove excess paint and thehorizontally opening upper hook portion of the panel member defines asupport from which a paint brush may be supported when the can is notbeing supported from a ladder, the handle portion of the paint brushbeing received through the hook and canted relative thereto with thebristles of the brush disposed over the top of the associated can.

i 3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAY 9 me Fig .5

Olaf L Olsen 1 LADDER MOUNTED PAINT PAIL SUPPORT The paint pail orbucket support of the instant invention has been designed to provide ameans whereby a paint pail or bucket may be readily removably supportedin stationary position relative to an associated ladder side rail. Inaddition, the support functions as a drain surface for draining paintback into the associated pail or bucket, as a wiping edge by whichexcess paint may be wiped from the bristles of an associated brush andas a support for the brush when the pail support is not supported froman associated ladder.

The pail or bucket support is unique in construction in that it isconstructed of a single panel of sheet'material such as sheet aluminumor othernon-corrosive material. The support has no moving parts and maythus be constructed so economically as to be utilized as an advertisinggive-away or as a no cost incentive for buying a particular brand ofpaint or paint from a particular paint outlet.

The construction of the support is such that only the size of thevarious components of its lower marginal edge portion need be altered inorder to adapt-the support for use in conjunction with different sizepaint cans or buckets. However, inasmuch as most painting done from aladder involves the use of a one gallon paint can, it is believed thatthe pail or can support will be utilized most often in conjunction witha 1 gallon can.

The main object of this invention is to provide a means whereby an opencan or pail of paint may be readily removably supported in stationaryposition from a ladder.

A further object of this invention is to provide a demountable structurefor supporting an open paint can or pail from ladders of various sizesand styles with only slight modifications being required during themanufacture of the demountable structure so as to adapt it for use inconjunction with various size and style ladders.

Another object of this invention is to provide a structure in accordancewith the preceding objects and which is capable of supporting abail-type paint can or pail from an associated ladder independent of thebail handle of the can, whereby the bail may be pivoted downwardly alongside the can to expose substantially the full open top of the can foraccess thereinto by a paint brush.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a demountablestructure for supporting a paint can or pail from a ladder and which issnapped into removable engagement with the associated paint can or pailwithout connection or interference with the bail handle of the can,thereby enabling the latter to be carried in the usual manner by thebail-handle provided for such purpose.

Yet another object of this invention isto provide a. device that may bereadily stamped from a single sheet of material.

Another object of this invention is to provide a support in accordancewith the immediately preceding object andconstructed in a manner wherebythe support may be releasably engaged with an associated ladder siderail at substantially any pointspaced longitudinally along the siderail.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a support inaccordance with the preceding objects and which will also function as aninclined drain plate for draining-paintfrom an associated brush backinto the associated paint pail.

A- further important object of this invention is to provide a pailsupport which will also function as a wiper blade by which excess painton an associated therefrom.

A still further'object of this invention is to provide a support inaccordance with the preceding objects and which'may also be utilized tosupport an associated paint brush in generally horizontal position withthe bristles of the brush over the associated paint pail when thesupport is not being utilized to support the pail from a ladder.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein isto provide a paint pail support which will conform to conventional formsof manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as toprovide a device that will paint brush may be wiped.

be economically-feasible, long lasting and relatively troublefree inoperation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a ladder with the pailsupport of the instant invention operatively associated with the ladderand being utilized to support a 1 gallon paint pail from the ladder;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view takensubstantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 22 of FIG.1;-

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged top plan view of a paint pail withwhich the support of the instant invention is operatively associated;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the upper portion of a paintpail illustrating the manner in which the support may be utilized tosupport a paint brush with its bristles disposed over the open top ofthe associated paint pail; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the support of the instant invention.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the nume'rall0generally designates a conventional form of ladder including a pair'ofopposite side rails 12 (one of which is not shown) interconnected bymeans of a plurality of vertically spaced horizontally disposed ladderrungs 14. The side rails and rungs may be interconnected in anyconventional manner and it is therefore to be noted that the ladder 10may be considered as conventional.

With attention now invited more specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2 of thedrawings there may be seen a conventional form of paint pail or canreferred to in general by the reference numeral l6 and which is of 1gallon capacity. The pail or can 16 includes an upper inwardlyprojecting peripheral rim assembly referred to in general by thereference numeral 18 and it may be seen in FIG. 2 of the drawings thatthe rim assembly 18- includes an outer rolled bead portion 20 rolledover the upper marginal edge portions of the side wall 22 of the pail orcan 16, a generally horizontal annular central flange portion 24 and anintegral annular channel portion 26 whose inner periphery is defined byan inner rolled bead portion 28. The pail or can 16 and rim assembly 18may also be considered as conventional.

The support of the instant invention is referred to in general by thereference numeral 30' and includes a body 32 constructed ofasingle pieceof panel material such as sheet material or plastic. The body 32includes upper and lower marginal edge portions 34 and 36 as well asopposite side marginal edge portions 38 and 40.

The upper marginal edge portion 34 of the body 32 has a horizontallyopening notch 42 formed therein so as to define a hook v44 at the upperextremity of the body 32. From FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings it may beseen that the notch 42 may receive one of the side rails 12 therein withthe body 32 canted so as to frictionally engage the opposing surfaces 46and 48 of the notch 42'with opposite side surfaces of the side rail 12.

The lower marginal edge portion 36 of the body 32 includes opposite sideoutwardly projectingextensions 50 and 52 for underlying peripherallyspaced portions 54 and 56 of the rim assembly 18,- see FIG. 3. Further,the side marginal edge portions 38 and 40 of the body 32 includeoutwardly and downwardly opening notches 58 and 60 for embracinglyengaging a second pair of peripherally spaced portions 62 and 64 of therim assembly 18 spaced'intermediate the portions 54 and 56. The notches58 define blunt tongues 66 and 68 for downward snap receptionin thechannel portion 26 and the central portion of the lower marginal edgeportion 36 of the body 32 includes a laterally struck tongue 70 havingan angulated free terminal end 72. The tongue 70 is receivable beneaththe portion 74 of the rim assembly 18 and it may be seen from FIG. 3 ofthe drawings that the portion 74 is spaced centrally intermediate boththe portions 62 and 64 and the portions 54 and 56.

It is believed readily apparent that the body 32 may be readily providedwith any suitable advertising indicia (not shown) in addition to theinstructional indicia 76. Further, the body 32 may be constructed of anysuitable material such as plastic or aluminum and its cost ofmanufacture is therefore maintained at a minimum enabling the support 30to be utilized as a give-away" advertising item or as a no cost salesincentive.

In operation, after the paint pail or can 16 has had its top (not shown)removed, the support 30 may be engaged with the rim assembly 18 of thepail or can 16 in a manner which is believed to be obvious from thedrawings and the above description. With the support 30 thus engagedwith the rim assembly 18 of the pail or can 16, the latter may bereadily supported and carried by the hook 44 inasmuch as the tongues 66and 68 of the body 32 must be flexed so as to be passed over the rolledbead 28 on the inner periphery of the channel portion 26 of the rimassembly 18. Thus, the support 30, when properly installed on the paintpail or can 16, is frictionally engaged therewith and will not becomedisengaged from the rim assembly 18 until the marginal portion of thebody 32 defining the surface 48 is pulled inward toward the center lineof the can 16.

After the support 30 has been engaged with the rim assembly 18, the hook44 may be readily engaged with the side rail 12 of the ladder in amanner which is also believed to be obvious. Further, the lower marginaledge portion 36 may be utilized as a wiping edge for wiping excess paintfrom the bristles of an associated brush and the hook 44 may be utilizedto support an associated brush with its bristles disposed over the opentop of the associated can 16 when the support 30 is not engaged with aladder, see FIG. 4.

As an added bonus, when the lower marginal edge portion 36 of the body32 is utilized as a wiping edge for wiping excess paint from anassociated brush, the channel portion 26 of the rim assembly 18 does notbecome filled with paint by the usual method of wiping excess paint froma brush involving drawing the bristles of the brush over the rolled bead28 of the rim assembly 18. Accordingly, the lid (not shown) of the pailor can 16 may be readily replaced in a manner ensuring an airtight sealand thus preserving whatever paint remains within the pail or can 16.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows: v

l. A generally planar inclined plate including upper, lower and oppositeside marginal edge portions, the opposite ends of said lower marginaledge portion including endwise outwardly projecting extensions forunderlying a first pair of peripherally spaced portions of an inwardlyprojecting peripheral rim assembly of a paint can, the lower extremitiesof said side edge portions including outwardly opening notches forembracingly and clampingly engaging a second pair of peripherally spacedportions of said rim assembly disposed between and spaced slightlycloser together than the first pair of peripherally spaced rim assemblyportions, said plate defining a generally horizontal notch openingoutwardly through one of said side edge portions above the correspondingnotch of said pair of notches, said horizontal notch being adapted toembracingly receive one side rail of an associated ladder therein withsaid plate being inclined downwardly and outwardly from thecorresponding side of said ladder.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said plate includes a centrallydisposed downwardly and outwardly struck tongue portion whose free endis adapted to be received beneath the portion of sard rrm assemblydisposed centrally mtermedlate said first pair of peripherally spacedrim assembly positions, said tongue portion being disposed below thelast-mentioned notch.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein the portions of said platedefining the upper extremities of said notches comprise downwardly andoutwardly inclined tongues for snap engagement in an upwardly openinggroove defined by and extending about said rim assembly.

1. A generally planar inclined plate including upper, lower and oppositeside marginal edge portions, the opposite ends of said lower marginaledge portion including endwise outwardly projecting extensions forunderlying a first pair of peripherally spaced portions of an inwardlyprojecting peripheral rim assembly of a paint can, the lower extremitiesof said side edge portions including outwardly opening notches forembracingly and clampingly engaging a second pair of peripherally spacedportions of said rim assembly disposed between and spaced slightlycloser together than the first pair of peripherally spaced rim assemblyportions, said plate defining a generally horizontal notch openingoutwardly through one of said side edge portions above the correspondingnotch of said pair of notches, said horizontal notch being adapted toembracingly receive one side rail of an associated ladder therein withsaid plate being inclined downwardly and outwardly from thecorresponding side of said ladder.
 2. The combination of claim 1 whereinsaid plate includes a centrally disposed downwardly and outwardly strucktongue portion whose free end is adapted to be received beneath theportion of said rim assembly disposed centrally intermediate said firstpair of peripherally spaced rim assembly positions, said tongue portionbeing disposed below the last-mentioned notch.
 3. The combination ofclaim 2 wherein the portions of said plate defining the upperextremities of said notches comprise downwardly and outwardly inclinedtongues for snap engagement in an upwardly opening groove defined by andextending about said rim assembly.